Former Central Point residents accused of abusing their adopted children - News - MailTribune.com - Medford, OR

Mail Tribune (Medford, OR — Wayback)

2015-07-07

Document text

0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation  |  Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED   » NEWS NOW   Red flag warning in effect until late tonight       ...       Grants Pass gets grant for a sobering center       ...       Rogue Valley programs persevere in extreme heat       ...       Red flag warning in effect until late tonight       ...       Grants Pass gets grant for a sobering center       ...       Rogue Valley programs persevere in extreme heat       ...           CRIME Former Central Point residents accused of abusing their adopted children Comment By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 28, 2014 at 2:10 PM By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 28, 2014 at 2:10 PM »  Social News CENTRAL POINT — A former Central Point couple faces multiple felony charges stemming from allegations they physically and sexually abused two of their adopted children over a three-year period. Christa Elizabeth Phillips was arraigned Wednesday in Jackson County Circuit Court on two counts of first-degree criminal mistreatment under a grand jury indictment returned Oct. 24. Her husband, Thomas Charles Phillips, faces the same charges, as well as two counts of first-degree sexual abuse — a Measure 11 crime. According to a probable cause affidavit written by Central Point police Detective Michael Wojack, investigators learned in April that an 11-year-old boy and a 9-year-old girl in Idaho had reported being abused by the Phillipses, who recently had given the children back to their biological mother. By the time police learned of the alleged abuse, the Phillipses had moved to Colorado. All of the alleged abuse is said to have occurred in the couple's former home in the 1700 block of North 10th Street in Central Point. According to the affidavit, both children stated during forensic interviews that they had been forced to sleep on a shelf in the Phillipses' garage for the three years they were in the couple's care. Both children also described being tied into sleeping bags with belts and being forced to eat days-old food from a bowl Christa Phillips allegedly called the "bowl of choices." The girl told investigators she was forced to use a porta-potty in the Phillips' garage, and that Thomas Phillips molested her when she was allowed to bathe once a week, Wojack wrote. According to notices filed with the court Nov. 18, police also obtained statements that Thomas Phillips had taken photos of the girl's naked body on his cellphone and that he caused physical injury to the boy. Police eventually learned that the couple had moved back to Southern Oregon and arrested Thomas Phillips in late October. Court records show them as living in Grants Pass. Christa Phillips was released on her own recognizance following arraignment, and Thomas Phillips is out on a $250,000 bail agreement pending trial. According to court records, no trial date has been set in either case. Reach reporter Thomas Moriarty at 541-776-4471, or by email at [email protected] . Follow him at @ThomasDMoriarty .   By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 28, 2014 at 2:10 PM » Comment or view comments   Reader Reaction »  STAY INFORMED   Email NewsLetter   Sign Up Today   Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed   Email newsletter   Sign Up Today   Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.    Privacy Policy  |  Terms of Service  |  Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501